Gaenslen test is performed with the patient in the supine position. On the asymptomatic side, the knee and hip joints are flexed, on the symptomatic side the hip joint is hyperextended off the examination table. Pressure is then applied with hyperflexion on the asymptomatic side and hyperextension on the symptomatic side. This combined movement creates a shearing force in the sacroiliac joint that can trigger pain.
Knee/hip flexion asymptomatic side
Hip hyperextension symptomatic side
The examiner performs hyperextension on the symptomatic side and hip hyperflexion on the asymptomatic side
Test properties: Sens 53, Spec 71, LR+1.8, LR-0.66